Texas-Pan American wins PGA Minority title

Texas-Pan American won the NCAA Division I PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship on Sunday.

It was the Broncs fourth such title in program history and first since 2007.

Texas-Pan American senior Armen Kirakossian made four back-nine birdies for a 4-under 68 on PGA Golf Club’s Wanamaker Course leading the Broncs past defending champion Tennessee State by two shots. Texas-Pan American finished at 872.

“We found the chemistry that we needed at the start of the year,” said Broncs Coach Santiago De Larrea. “Armen was great, but so were guys like his brother, Kevin, and (freshman) Brandon Reyna. This is just my second season as coach, and it makes me feel as good now as when I was here in 2002 on the team and playing for a championship.”

Tennessee State senior Chris Seibel double-bogeyed the par-4 10th hole, and fell a stroke behind playing partner Kirakossian, who birdied Nos. 12-14, and added another at the 16th.

“I’m disappointed for our team, but more for Chris, who was playing in his final collegiate championship,” said Tennessee State coach Chip Taylor. “We had a chance to win coming down the final four holes, and that is all you can ask for.”

The Championship featured a field of 185 players representing 15 countries and 41 colleges and universities. It was the 13th consecutive year that PGA Golf Club served as host.

Morehouse College of Atlanta, Ga., topped Virginia State by 20 shots to win its first Division II title. Senior Philip Allen highlighted his closing 69 by holing out for eagle from the fairway on the 350-yard, par-4 15th hole.

The men’s Independent Division title went to University of Central Florida junior Amit Odaiyar.